*Says ‘I was elected to protect Nigerians, I must do so’
*Gov Lalong thanks President, promises continue cooperation
*President’s visit show of effective leadership – Senator Lawan
President Muhammadu Buhari made an unscheduled visit to Jos, Plateau State capital, on Tuesday to identify with the government and people of the state over the loss of lives due to killings by gunmen few days ago in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.
During the visit, the President discharging his responsibility as the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, urged the leadership at all levels as well as all stakeholders to be awake to their responsibility of driving the peace process so that meaningful development can be seen by the people.
The President, who gave the charge in Jos, appealed to the people of Plateau State to bury their differences and work together for the peace of the State.
Buhari, who visited the State for a brief stakeholders’ meeting held at the Banquet Hall of New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, condemned the crisis and commiserated with the bereaved saying “Please pass my message of condolence to those who lost loved ones.”
Speaking further during the visit, President Buhari said that he was elected to protect lives and properties and vowed that he must do so.
The President said this at the meeting with stakeholders on the current security situation in Plateau.
Vice President Yemi Osibanjo was in the state on Monday where he assessed the situation and also interacted with stakeholders.
Less than 24 hours of sending his deputy, the President came himself to console the people and interact with them.
“I have contested elections and elected to protect lives and properties and that I will do.
“As Commander-in-Chief, I will continue to put pressure on the security chiefs to do what is needed of them,” he assured.
Gov Simon Lalong thanked the President for coming personally after the visit of the Vice President where far reaching decisions were reached after exhaustive discussions, attended by key stakeholders.
Lalong outlined steps taken by the government to deescalate the crisis with support from the Federal Government.
He also thanked the President for considering appeals for the establishment of Police Mobile Unit at Gashish, a flash point, and for the plans to compensate victims of the crises.
He, however, appealed to him to ensure those found to be behind the crises face the full wrath of the law.
“Mr President those who have been arrested and found guilty should be punished.”
Lalong said that all the parties involved in the killings were guilty as there was no justification for their actions.
The governor condemned acts of annexation of ancestral lands saying that his administration would not allow anybody to take another person’s land.
He also condemned cattle rustling and other vices that negate peace building.
The President was accompanied on the visit by the Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Sani Bello.
Others who went to Jos with the President were the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali (Rtd), Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulrahman Danbazzau (Rtd) and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Also with the President were the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Kpotun Idris.
Corroborating the governor’s disclosure of arrested suspected, the military leadership in the state confirmed that three of the killers arrested by the Army’s motorcycle unit are already in custody and that they are giving very useful confessions.
Also speaking on the sideline of NTA Network News Tuesday night, Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, who commended President Buhari over his visit to Jos to identify with the people, said what he did was show of desired effective leadership.
He also commended the Governor of the Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong, for his speech through it was shown that synergy required among all levels of government in tackling security issues in the country existed between his government and the Federal Government.
Lawan said those involved in the heinous act will be dealt with no matter how highly placed they may be in the society.
